Iran's Efforts to Enforce Mandatory Hijab; Two Bookstores in Tehran Closed

In response to increasing civil disobedience against mandatory hijab, two bookstores in Tehran have been shut down. Iranian news sources report that the Islamic Republic authorities have closed 'Bookstore Di' and 'Book House' in Tehran. Bookstore Di announced on its Instagram page that it is 'currently closed,' while 'Book House' stated that it is 'closed until further notice.' The Telegram channel of Bookstore Di emphasized on Sunday, October 1, that 'unfortunately, we have been closed' and 'we do not have access to any of the purchased and ready-to-send packages,' promising its audience that it will take action to send the packages at the earliest opportunity. Previously, the Iranian Writers' Association described the 'sealing' of bookstores as 'the most visible sign of the cultural bankruptcy of the current regime' and called for the 'removal of security agencies from culture.' In recent months, following the start of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, civil resistance against the mandatory hijab has increased, prompting Islamic Republic officials to impose further restrictions, including the closure of commercial and cultural spaces, in addition to previous methods for enforcing the hijab. On Saturday, October 1, the public relations office of the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office in Qom announced that a judicial order had been issued to 'seal' a cinema due to what was termed 'unconventional advertising on social media.' With increasing security pressures on businesses to enforce the mandatory hijab on women in Iran, many business owners report that they are facing conditions detrimental to their operations due to the hijab enforcement policy. In this context, repeated seizures, fines, and threats against businesses have had serious consequences for them. The Persian section of Voice of America has conducted exclusive interviews with several café owners in Iran, where these establishments have become popular hangouts for the youth, especially women. Meanwhile, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the 'Hijab and Chastity' bill in Iran as 'repressive and humiliating.' The U.S. Special Envoy for Iran also stated on October 1 that the punitive mandatory hijab law in Iran is a step backward for women's rights, human rights, and religious freedom, reflecting the Iranian government's determination to suppress freedom and women's rights. He urged the Iranian authorities to repeal this 'oppressive law' and respect the rights of Iranian women. The ongoing closure of businesses to combat 'improper hijab' has resulted in over a thousand businesses being sealed in Gilan. Legal cases have been opened against ten women's hair salons in Bandar Abbas, and one Instagram user has been arrested. The sale of notebooks featuring Disney or cartoon characters has been banned, and violating units will be sealed. The sealing under the pretext of 'not adhering to hijab' has reached the 'roaring waves' of Mashhad.